Support for Badger-Two Medicine plan
To the editor,
This is my first-ever "Letter to the Editor." I'm prompted to write because I so strongly feel the need to express my support for the Travel Plan for the Badger-Two Medicine area of the Rocky Mountain Front.
This plan was recently drawn up by Forest Service after years of study and public input, most of which was overwhelmingly supportive. Besides being incredibly beautiful, this is an especially important area, not only aesthetically and ecologically, but also traditionally. The Blackfeet Tribe considers it to be one of their most sacred areas and have been trying to protect it from motorized use for years.
The Badger Two-Med is a vital uninterrupted corridor for wildlife from the Bob Marshall Wilderness to Glacier National Park and beyond. Banning motorized vehicles will contribute to maintaining the area's pristine character, a quality that is becoming increasingly endangered in our evermore mechanized, noisy and fast-paced world. Motorized vehicle users will always find places to ride; grizzlies aren't as adaptable.
I'm asking everyone to express their support of the protection this Plan offers by writing the Forest Service and their elected officials.
Beth Hagan
East Glacier Park
Thanks dentists, staffTo the editor,
February was National Children's Dental Health Month. Many local dentists and dental staff members contributed time and dental services to local children as part of "Give Kids A Smile Day." During the month of February, more than three dozen local children received free dental care that would have cost over $15,000 had it been billed.
For the following participants' generous donations of time and expertise, and for giving kids a smile — thank you: Dr. Newman with Karen, Kathy, Carolyn, Maria, Tammy, Carissa, Colleen, and Peggy; Dr. Morehouse; Dr. Buffington with Nicolle and Cheryl; Dr. Larsen; Dr. Bax; Dr. Laura Raddatz with Sherry, Lori, Sue, Carol, Erica, Trina, Wendy D., and Wendy B. Also, special thanks to Peggy Newman for time and commitment to educate School District 6 elementary students about oral hygiene and dental health.
Thank you all!
Renae Ren RN and Cathy Dragonfly RN
School District 6 nurses
Drunk driving is a serious offenseTo the editor,
It is no wonder that Montana is the worst state in the nation when it comes to drunk driving. Pick up a newspaper and read the "In Court" section and you will see the same results every time. The March 29 Daily Inter Lake had eight people convicted of drunk driving and every single one received a suspended sentence. One person was convicted of her third offense and 50 days of the 60-day sentence was suspended. The March 30 Interlake had nine more convicted — all with the same result, a suspended sentence. Last Thursday's Hungry Horse News reported Columbia Falls City Court had a 19-year-old convicted of his second DUI; $385 of the $585 fine was suspended. It does not say if he served any time.
It does not seem to matter who the judge is, they all do the same thing. It confounds me. (Note to judges: When someone shows up in your court with their second, third or fourth DUI, the counseling didn't take. Maybe serving their entire sentence would be more effective.)
During the last six years 5,000 soldiers have died in Iraq. Millions of people have protested, marched and demanded an end to the killing, and they call for the President's impeachment. But in one year drunk drivers will kill two to three times that many people (around 13,000) on our roads and highways and nobody bats an eye.
Two weeks ago Highway Patrol Trooper Mike Haynes died as a result from injuries sustained from a head-on collision with a drunk driver. I hope everyone is as upset as me. We need to make some changes. I'm not sure but maybe we need to build a larger jail here in the county so we can lock these people up, or get our state legislators to pass tougher mandatory sentences especially on second and third time offenders. Maybe we need to replace our judges with ones that will hand out stiffer sentences.
I don't know what the answer is, but I do know that other states take drunk driving far more seriously and have fewer repeat offenders than we do. We are all at risk.
Barry Wollenzien
Kalispell
Coaches say thanksTo the editor,
The coaching staff would like to thank a few people for the support they gave the girls basketball team during the course of the season.
First John Thompson, our A.D., went above and beyond the call of duty to make our jobs easier as coaches. Especially during the Divisional and State tournaments.
Troy Bowman who is, without a doubt, the best trainer in the state of Montana. Joe Sova, who gave amazing coverage to our girls. Mike Hammer and the KOFI crew for putting our games on the radio. Randy Bocksnick for his support and wonderful photographs he shares with us every year. Bruce Adams, Laurie Thramer, Scott Gaiser, Bob Teeples and Steve Gasche for their work on the clock, book and announcing.
A big thanks to coach Cary Finberg who constantly gave words of encouragement to the players and is a joy to work with during the season.
Finally thanks to the community for your support. We hope you enjoyed watching these athletes this season.
Coach Dan Fairbank
Columbia Falls girls basketball
Thanks for support of Morgan familyTo the editor,
March 28 was a good day for the Morgan family, a victory, if you will, a gift that began from their dentist — of all people. Barb Proctor joined our team, followed by the beloved ladies of the Eagles who donate their time and produced donations. We had the Montana Fiddler's Association who brought joy and tunes that kept the crowd dancin' to the theme of "donate money, donate money" to the Morgan family.
We offer also offer our thanks to the community and all the businesses that donated to our silent auction or made a generous cash donation. This means all of you, and you know who you are. You are beautiful vendors and we're glad to have you in the valley.
This is also a thanks to all those who dug deep during a time of economic hardship, our local family, friends and loved ones having their hours cut, their jobs cut, or knowing someone having this done! We were able to raise several thousand dollars for the Mark and Jenny Morgan family, including their two beautiful daughters, Jasmyn and Jocelyn. They were born with chronic illnesses requiring constant medical attention.
In a community struck by economic hardships, we rose to the challenge of charity, the Golden Rule, "Do Unto Others!" What did we learn here at Family Dental Center? We learned that serving others and giving our time to those in need fills our hearts and minds with love and compassion, not the doom and gloom we see in headlines all around the U.S.
Raised was $500 donated from the Eagles. Eyeglasses were donated by the Area Chamber of Commerce. There were cash donations from local businesses, and $350 from a seafood gift certificate in a raffle sponsored by Dr. Dean W. Calderwood, DDS and Norsk Seafood.
To everyone who reached into their pocket and helped this family, we love you, we thank you and we send our warmest thoughts of appreciation and blessings for prosperity and peace in your own families.
If we forgot anyone, please know that each time we received a gift or donation, sold a raffle ticket, accepted a silent auction bid, hug or smile, we were grateful and had tears of joy celebrated with the Morgan family each step of the way. Thanks!
Dr. Dean W. Calderwood, Faith Calderwood, Holly Barnes, Mallory Gould, Marshauna Mortensen, Amanda Joubert, Sarah Friske, Summor Kilgore, Dawn Henderson
4-H Doodlebugs say 'thank you'To the editor,
A most enjoyable dinner hosted by the Deer Park Doodlebugs 4-H Club on March 27 was attended by participating community neighbors. Thanks so much for your company and financial support.
We have a great community that donated funds even though their attendance was not possible. We missed you there and thank you for your donations.
We hope to be seeing you and participating with you in upcoming events.
Chelsey Waddell
Deer Park Doodlebugs